David Millican’s debut novel, Frontier Preacher, is now available in eBook and Paperback!

About the Book

Hollis feared the loneliness would swallow him whole. He had arrived in Wyoming to fulfill his uncle’s dying wish – that he save the people of Gillette – but his education and faith had not prepared him for the bitter cold and hardened hearts of the west. A dark secret in his new home threatens to destroy his very soul. Will Hollis be strong enough to stand against the tide of evil? Can he overcome where stronger men failed, before the west claims another victim?

eBook: www.amazon.com/dp/B017QRMMM8/
Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6236943

About the Author

David was born and raised in Wyoming then spent his twenties traveling the world. He now spends his time in McKeesport Pennsylvania with his wife Emily. He has been writing since he was a child, enjoying success in the young authors program, local literary magazines, and blogging. You can follow David’s new projects and release dates on his Facebook author page.

Facebook | Twitter | Website

What Reviewers are saying

“Definitely worth reading.“-Amazon Reviewer

“The author makes great use of his setting offering many rich details”-Amazon Reviewer

“I loved the writing and the story. Then [sic] ending is unexpected and inevitable at the same time. “-Goodreads Reviewer

I asked the author if he would answer my Friday Reads questions, just for fun and he was gracious enough to agree!

1. Tell our readers why they should choose your novel as their Friday Read.

I had three purposes in writing this book. One was to tell stories that need to be told. Two, I want to make a living from writing (or at least supplement my living). And three, I wanted to bring back the dime novels of the late 1800’s and Frontier Preacher is consistent with their length and pacing. One of the things that made those novels so successful was their length. Now in a time where people are pushing for longer, longer, longer, I endeavored to tell an entire story without the fluff. Most people find it a short read, and a compelling one from what they tell me.

2.What is the book’s backstory, what inspired you?

It started when I began my research into the history of the congregation I grew up in. It is one of the older American Restoration churches in the nation which is strange as most of the old congregations are in the Bible belt and Texas. But it was the railroad that brought the church to Wyoming and I wanted to know more about them. As I researched I branched off into other areas (as any Wikipedia user knows is inevitable) and found rich stories that I had never heard told.

So I set out as a goal to take all of those stories and make them into a single cohesive narrative. Most of the events in the book occurred at one time or another in different places. One of my favorite, the one where a Baptist preacher is shot at for fun, happened in a small town in Kansas.

I transported it all to Gillette, the town I grew up in for three reasons. (That’s getting to be a theme with me…) They say write what you know, so I did. I also love my home town and want others to see it through my eyes. And the last reason, and most important, I know the people of Gillette are good, solid people. They stand a cut above the rest and were perfect for the story I needed.

3. Who were your favorite authors as a child and teen?

I read anything and everything I could get my hands on. That meant reading things too old for me sometimes and things over my head a lot of the time. To choose an author is like choosing my favorite food. What day is it? Richard Adams and Watership Down changed the way I looked at story telling. Mark Twain and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn made me question the world around me. (I had to read it and do a book report on it over summer vacation, when I was nine, for a punishment. Yes I had a teacher as a dad. Why do you ask?) George Orwell’s 1984 made me…I shouldn’t talk about that here– I mean there is nothing to talk about. Ever. We’ve always been at war with Eastasia.

4. Imagine a big name author that you love is reading and raving about your book. What would your reaction be and who would you tell?

I don’t want to sound too cynical here but I would be focusing on getting a review and advertising from them. I mean, it would be cool, but life (and sales window’s) is too short to be star struck. But I would be calling my mom like crazy.

Thank you for these interesting answers. Growing up, I read constantly too. Now let’s talk something we all like:

Discounts

David is offering a 50% discount for the paperback book! To get your copy, go to the Createspace estore and enter this code when you checkout: GYM7ACWX.

From May 27-31, Frontier Preacher will also be on sale for just $1.99. That’s a $3.00 savings!

Giveaway

Enter to win one of three giveaways! Giveaway #1 is a paperback of Never by J. Grace Pennington and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #2 is a paperback of Revel Knox by Michael Shank and a $15 Amazon gift card. Giveaway #3 is a personalized notebook from Faith Blum and a $15 Amazon gift card.

To enter the giveaway, please fill out this form. The only required entries are your name and your email address. Everything else is optional.

Tour Schedule

Monday, May 23
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Tour Introduction and Book Spotlight
Rebekah Lyn Books-Book Spotlight and Character Interview (John Davies)
Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Book Spotlight
Rachel Rossano’s Words-Book Spotlight

Tuesday, May 24
God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae-Book Spotlight
PhreyPress-Book Spotlight, Guest Post, and Author Interview

Wednesday, May 25
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima-Book Spotlight and Excerpt
Writing About Life-Book Review
Frances Hoelsema-Book Spotlight and Excerpt
Zerina Blossom’s Books-Guest Post

Thursday, May 26
Stephany Tullis Blog-Character Interview (John Davies)
Ramblings-Guest Post
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Excerpt

Friday, May 27
Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections-Giveaway Announcement

Biographies are obviously popular, we see a new celebrity promoting their book nearly every month. It’s human nature to want to get inside another person’s head, to understand what makes them tick.

The first biography I remember reading was Nicholas and Alexandra: An Intimate Account of the Last Romanovs and the Fall of Imperial Russia, a little light summer reading for a high school kid. I was fascinated with Russian society and drank in every detail of this doomed couple. Since then, I’ve read a number of other biographies, but as I write this, I am realizing that almost all of them were on political figures. I guess that makes sense, though, considering my love of history and desire to learn from the past to make better choices in the future.

Recently, though, I read The Soul of it All, the memoir of singer/songwriter Michael Bolton. I’ve been a fan for many years and knew a bit about his struggle to achieve the success he has, but this book gave me a new appreciation for his dedication to his passion. It is admirable Mr. Bolton was so candid about his struggles.

I love writing, and when I’m in the zone on a book I feel freer than anywhere else. Even when I’m not actually writing the zone can continue as the world I am creating takes over my brain. I love that feeling, but I don’t know if I could give up all the security I have achieved through my day job to focus solely on my writing. Mr. Bolton faced eviction and hunger more than once pursuing his passion. How often do we encounter someone with that kind of drive and confidence in their abilities? Too often I hear stories on the news or even in the office of people complaining about life not being fair, that they deserve more than they have. I’ve even been guilty of this myself, but this book was a good reminder that hard work is truly the key to success. I plan to keep the book near my writing area to help me remember good things do come to those who persevere and, of course, to make me smile at the sight of one of my favorite artists.

Just for fun, is there someone you would like to read a biography on that doesn’t have one out yet? Share their name and why in comments and you could be the winner of a pre-order of my upcoming release Jessie

Tag: Am writing

Frontier Preacher Blog Tour